Superior Ministry, Superior Covenant, Superior Promises

Hebrews 8:3-6

The key words in this section are: priest, offerings, gifts, covenant, ministry, promises. The author contrasts the earthly high priests and their ministry to Jesus and his ministry. The author also contrasts the old covenant and its promises to the new covenant and its promises. The author's argument is: The ministry of Jesus is superior to the ministry of the earthly priests because the place where Jesus ministers is superior to the place where the earthly priests minister. The author's proof of the supremacy of the heavenly "temple" is that the earthly sanctuary is a copy and shadow of the heavenly sanctuary.
The author then turns to the covenants: the new covenant is superior to the old covenant because the promises upon which the new covenant is built are superior to the promises upon which the old covenant is built. The author is going to argue for the superiority of the new covenant in the next section.
I am struck by how the author glosses over the sacrifice of Christ at this point. It is referred to in verse 3 saying that because all priests were appointed to offer gifts and sacrifices then Jesus also had to have something to offer. The author does not say anything else about it until chapter 10. I would think the author would want to get to the sacrifice quickly because it, at least by my Western way of thinking, proves the supremacy of Christ completely; the sacrifice he offers is superior to the sacrifices of the priest. However, I think in the Hebrew way of thinking, the author has to first prove that Jesus was a priest who was qualified and authourized to make offerings. I just learned at our CS Lewis Christian Thought Series with Dr. Flint that the Jewish rabbis and legal experts were most concerned with the covenants and legal sections of the Bible. In this light, it makes complete sense for the author to lay a foundation from the covenant and the law to show the qualifications and supremacy of Christ.
I am also struck by the author's boldness. In our Canadian tolerance, I am very careful about how I speak about and to other people's belief systems. I am still convinced that there is a place for respect and gentleness. However, the author reminds me that there is also a place for boldness and courage. I must not shrink from the truth. If Christ's ministry is superior and the promises of Christ are superior, I must not be afraid to show them to be superior. Spirit, help me to be bold and courageous. Help me to keep truth and love in its rightful balance. I tend towards one extreme or the other: loveless truth or truthless love. Keep me centered.